Silver Lake Dense With Liquor Licenses

The area served by the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council has more than what some see as its allowable share of alcohol-serving licenses.

And still more are in the works.

Data mined by SLNC member Rusty Millar from the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, shows that in four census tracts that overlap SLNC turf there are 38 ABC licenses for on-site sale and 19 for off-site sale.

That's more than double what some say should be here.

According to a calculation based on the ABC's recommended one license per 2,000 to 2,500 people, the numbers should be 15 for on-site sale and 10 for off-site sale in those tracts.

Neighbors are concerned, as they fear parking and noise problems could escalate, especially in the stretch of Sunset just east of Sunset Junction.

In that neighborhood right now, the new proprietors of the space known most recently as Le Barcito have an application for a liquor license in the works, with comment period closing on their application.

Berlin Currywurst is also working on a beer and wine license, with a hearing at the City Planning Department scheduled for this Tuesday at 9:30 am in Room 1020 of City Hall.

The small take out and dine-in purveyor of frieds, sausage, sauerkraut and related morsels features an 160-square-foot outdoor patio.

(The state is the final arbiter on all licenses to serve alcohol, but the City Planning Department comes into play when zoning variances are also required as is often the case in Echo Park and Silver Lake.)

Further down the street, .

The issue of alcohol for local restaurants is a tricky one. It makes restaurants more attractive to diners and is good for business. Supporters argue also that it simply extends what has been a cultural tradition for centuries.

Says Millar in an email: "In 2006 I tried to get the board to limit new permits (not because I don’t like a drink) or require a new business to take over an existing permit so the number remain neutral but it was not received well."

Of course, there are many hurdles to leap. We think of all the ground-laying Echo Park's has had to do--first in the community and then in a serious of hearings, the last before the Regional Planning Commission.

That was in January, and, we just checked with Marc Galucci at Fix: nothing much has changed, including presumably a go-ahead with the state.

So all of these new things in Silver Lake could also take a good deal of time.

What do you think: does the density of liquor licenses in Silver Lake pose a threat to community or public safety?

Tell us in comments.